Integrating multimedia and voicemail

ABSTRACT

Integrated multimedia voicemail systems and methods allow the creation of voicemail with associated multimedia content. A user can compose a voicemail and select or create multimedia content to be associated with the voicemail. A user can associate files, webpage addresses, applications, and user-created content with a voicemail. A user may operate an interface on a user device to select content and instruct a voicemail system to associate such content with a voicemail. The voicemail with integrated multimedia content may be an originating voicemail or a voicemail in response to another voicemail.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field generally relates to wireless communications andmore specifically relates to integration of multimedia content andvisual voicemail.

BACKGROUND

Communications devices such as cellular telephones, mobile communicationdevices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and the like arebecoming more prevalent as technology advances and makes these devicesmore powerful and more affordable. These devices are also beingconstructed with increasing capabilities and can now perform functionsthat have in the past been performed by dedicated devices. For instance,a common mobile communications device today may have computingcapabilities, the ability to communicate with data networks such as theinternet, a display than can render high quality still images and video,audio capabilities that allow the device to play music and videosoundtracks, as well as the ability to place and receive traditionalmobile telephone calls and text messages.

The expanding capabilities of mobile communications devices have allowedthe improvement and enhancement of more traditional technologies. Forexample, voicemail has traditionally been an audio-only feature thatrequires a telephone connection to a voicemail server. A user wouldreceive some sort of notification that a voicemail is available, and theuser would then have to dial into a voicemail server to listen to themessage. Thanks to technological advances, visual voicemail is availableon many mobile devices. Visual voicemail presents a visual interface toa user's voicemail box and allows the user to manipulate voicemail invarious ways that were previously not possible. A user may delete orsave voicemail through the visual interface without having to place acall to a voicemail server. A user may also be able to see who thevoicemail is from, when it was sent or received, and othercharacteristic of the voicemail without actually placing a call to avoicemail server. In some implementations, voicemail can be converted totext using speech recognition technology and then read through thevisual voicemail interface or transmitted, for example as an email.Current visual voicemail implementations have been limited tomanipulations of traditional voice messages.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods for integrating multimedia content with voicemailare disclosed. A voicemail system and/or user device may provide aninterface for a user to select multimedia content to be attached orassociated with a voicemail. The content may be located on a user deviceor on a remote device, or may be created by the user in the process ofselecting content to be associated with a voicemail. A user may selectany type of multimedia content or links to such content. For example, ause may select a music, video, or executable file located on the user'sdevice, or the user may select a link or other identifying informationthat will allow a device to locate the associated content. A user mayalso select a webpage and the voicemail system or the user device mayassociate the network address of the webpage with the voicemail. A usermay specify a tag or identifier within the voice portion of a voicemailthat will trigger an automatic rendering of the content when therecipient plays the voice message portion of the voicemail. Multimediacontent may be executed or rendered when the recipient selects thecontent or otherwise instructs the system to render or execute thecontent. In one embodiment, the content may be rendered automaticallywhen a tag or identifier is detected. Other embodiments and furtherdetails are set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments is betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplaryembodiments; however, the subject matter is not limited to the specificelements and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary networkenvironment in which multimedia and voicemail can be integrated.

FIG. 2 illustrates example, non-limiting, representations of userinterfaces that may be used in connection with multimedia and voicemailintegration.

FIG. 3 illustrates example, non-limiting, representations of userinterfaces that may be used in connection with multimedia and voicemailintegration.

FIG. 4 illustrates example, non-limiting, representations of userinterfaces that may be used in connection with multimedia and voicemailintegration.

FIG. 5 illustrates example, non-limiting, exemplary representations ofuser interfaces that may be used in connection with multimedia andvoicemail integration.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a non-limiting, exemplary method ofimplementing multimedia and voicemail integration.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a non-limiting, exemplary method ofimplementing multimedia and voicemail integration.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary wireless devicethat may be used in connection with multimedia and voicemailintegration.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary processor inwhich multimedia and voicemail integration may be implemented.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an exemplary packet-based mobile cellularnetwork environment, such as a GPRS network, in which multimedia andvoicemail integration may be implemented.

FIG. 11 illustrates a non-limiting, exemplary architecture of a typicalGPRS network, segmented into four groups, in which multimedia andvoicemail integration may be implemented.

FIG. 12 illustrates a non-limiting alternate block diagram of anexemplary GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in whichmultimedia and voicemail integration may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment in which one or moreembodiments of multimedia and voicemail integration may be implemented.User 110 may operate wireless device 111, and user 120 may operatewireless device 121. Each of wireless devices 111 and 121 may be anytype of wireless mobile communications device, including a mobiletelephone, smart phone, personal data assistant (PDA), mobile computer,wireless email device, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, whilewireless devices 111 and 121 as illustrated represent wireless mobilecommunications devices, wireless devices 111 and 121 may also representa wired device, such as a landline telephone, computer, email device, orany other communications device or any combination thereof. All suchembodiments are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Wireless devices 111 and 121 may communicate with network 101. Network101 may be any type of network capable of providing wireless services towireless devices of any type. Network 101 represents any number ofinterconnected networks that may be composed of any number and type ofwired and/or wireless network devices. Network 101 may enable wirelessdevices 111 and 121 to communicate with each and with other mobiledevices. Additionally, network 101 may enable wireless devices 111 and121 to communicate with computing devices such as voicemail server 130and multimedia messaging service (MMS) server 140. Such communicationmay be voice, data, or a combination thereof. All such embodiments arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

User 110 may wish to call user 120 by operating wireless devices 111.Upon dialing the phone number associated with wireless device 121, user110 may be connected to a voicemail system that allows user 110 tocreate a voicemail for user 120. This may be because user 120 fails toanswer the call placed by user 110, or because wireless device 121 isunavailable for some reason, such as being located in an area with nowireless service, or being shut off. Alternatively, user 110 may wish tosend a voicemail to user 120 without directly calling wireless device121, and may interact with a voicemail system to create and send thevoicemail to user 120. In such a situation, user 110 may be initiating avoicemail unprompted, or may be responding to a voicemail created byuser 120. In one embodiment, such a voicemail system may be operated byvoicemail server 130, which may be associated with a network thatprovides wireless communications services to either or both user 110 anduser 120. Alternatively, voicemail server 130 may be owned, operated, ormaintained by a third party, and may be a component of a third partysystem that provides voicemail services to the operator of network 101or any other network operator. Voicemail server 130 may be any one ormore computing devices and/or software capable of performing voicemailfunctions as described herein. Voicemail server 130 may be dedicated toperforming voicemail functions, or may be a component of a device orsystem that performs other functions in addition to voicemail functions.

Upon connecting to voicemail server 130, user 110 may be provided withaural prompts that allows user 110 to interact with voicemail server130. Voicemail server 130 may solicit and store a voice message fromuser 110 using traditional telephony means. Voicemail server 130 mayalso prompt user 110 to attach or associate multimedia content with thevoicemail. Note that voicemail server 130 may prompt user 110 formultimedia content before or after user 110 is prompted for and/orprovides the audible voice message portion of a voicemail. The promptfor multimedia content may be accomplished by asking user 110 audiblywhether user 110 would like to attach multimedia content. Alternatively,or in conjunction, voicemail server 130 may communicate a prompt toattach or associate multimedia content with the voicemail to wirelessdevice 111 by using data communication. Such communication may cause aninterface to be provided to user 110 on wireless device 111 that allowsuser 110 to select multimedia content to be associated with thevoicemail. In one embodiment, such communication may operate inconjunction with software configured on wireless device 111 that isdesigned to facilitate the attachment of multimedia content tovoicemail. Alternatively, such communication may operate in conjunctionwith software on wireless device 111 that is not dedicated to multimediavoicemail functions. All such embodiments are contemplated as within thescope of the present disclosure.

In response to such a prompt, user 110 may respond in the affirmativeand/or may specify multimedia content to be associated with thevoicemail user 110 has created by interacting with voicemail server 130.In one embodiment, upon responding in the affirmative, user 110 may beconnected to or otherwise interact directly or indirectly with MMSserver 140, which may perform some or all of the multimedia voicemailassociation functions described herein. MMS server 140 may be any one ormore computing devices and/or software capable of performing MMSfunctions as described herein. MMS server 140 may be dedicated toperforming MMS functions, or may be a component of a device or systemthat performs other functions in addition to MMS functions. MMS server140 may be the same device or system as voicemail server 130, or may bea separate device or system. Alternatively, all the functions describedherein may be performed entirely by voicemail server 130 or componentsthereof. All such embodiments are contemplated as within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

In one embodiment, user 110 may provide or specify multimedia contentaudibly by stating an identifier of the multimedia content. For example,a user may associate a webpage with a voicemail by stating the webpage'saddress which may then be recognized by speech recognition components ofvoicemail server 130. Voicemail server 130 may then obtain the webpageat the specified address and associate the webpage with the voicemail.Alternatively, voicemail server 130 may associate the webpage addresswith the voicemail which may allow user 120 to view the webpage using anappropriately equipped device. In an alternate embodiment, a user mayassociate text content with a voicemail by speaking the text contentwhich may then be recognized by speech recognition components ofvoicemail server 130 and converted into a text file or stored in somemanner and associated with the voicemail. In another embodiment, user110 may provide a network address of a file, such as a video or musicfile, which voicemail server 130 may then use to obtain or otherwiseassociate the file with the voicemail. Any other means of obtaining orotherwise associating multimedia content with a voicemail through theuse of aural interaction with a voicemail system or device arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

In an alternative embodiment, user 110 may provide or specify multimediacontent using an interface provided and/or operated by voicemail server130, in one embodiment in conjunction with wireless device 111. Such aninterface may be specially designed for multimedia content integrationwith voicemail, or may be generalized. For example, a software clientmay be installed on wireless device 111 that facilitates associatingmultimedia content with voicemail. Alternatively, voicemail server 130may provide a webpage address to wireless device 111 via a datacommunication that allows wireless device 111 to interact with voicemailserver 130 over network 101. In such an embodiment, voicemail server 130may also issue one or more instructions to wireless device 111 thatcause wireless device 111 to execute a browser application and presentthe webpage at the specified webpage address to user 110. This may bedone automatically without requiring actions on the part of user 110. Insome embodiments, network 101 may include the internet, and the webpageaddress may be an internet webpage address. Any other means of providinga data, visual, or other type of interface to a user for the purpose ofallowing the user to specify multimedia content to be associated with avoicemail are contemplated.

The content may be specified by user 110 operating wireless device 111to select files or provide input to voicemail server 130. Alternatively,user 110 may operate wireless device 111 to instruct voicemail server130 as to where, when, and/or how to obtain multimedia content to beassociated with a voicemail. Any means of specifying multimedia contentmay be used, and all such means are within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting, exemplary interface for providingmultimedia content to a voicemail server or system to be associated witha voicemail. The elements of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 may be screen imagespresented to a user on a visual display device, such as the display ofwireless device 111. A user may interact with the screen images usingone or more input devices such as a virtual or physical key pad, avirtual or physical key board, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, etc.Such interaction may include or result in communication with a voicemailserver or system, a MMS server or system, or a combination thereof. Insome embodiments, a user may be presented with the screens shown inFIGS. 2, 3, and 4 when originating a voicemail that is not responsive toanother voicemail, for example when leaving a voicemail for a user whodid not answer his or her mobile device. In such embodiments, thevoicemail server or system with which the user interacts may be that ofthe service provider that provides wireless service to a call recipient.Alternatively, in some embodiments, a user may be presented with thescreens shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 when responding to a receivedvoicemail. In such embodiments, the voicemail server or system withwhich the user interacts may be that of the user's wireless serviceproviders. A user receiving an original or a responding voicemail may bepresented with the screens of FIG. 5 or screens similar, and in eitherimplementation, the screens of FIG. 5 may be provided by or facilitateinteraction with a voicemail or MMS server or system of the recipient orcomposer of the voicemail. All variations on these configurations arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

At screen 210, a user may be prompted to associate multimedia contentwith a voicemail. Note that, although not shown in FIG. 2, screen 210may be preceded by a screen or other interface that inquires whether theuser would like to associate multimedia content with a voicemail.Alternatively, a user may be presented with an interface such as screen210 that presents options for the user that include both contentassociation options and a voicemail sending option. Any alternativeconfiguration or presentation of options may be used, and all suchalternatives are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Note that “attach”, “associate”, and related terms as usedherein indicate content that is associated in some way with a voicemail.

Screen 210 may present several multimedia attachment options to theuser. As shown on screen 210, a user may be offered the option to attacha file, a webpage, or text to a voicemail. Other options to attach anygeneral or specific type of multimedia may be presented to the user andall such options and combinations thereof are contemplated as within thescope of the present disclosure. The user may also be offered optionsthat are not directly related to multimedia attachment, such as theoption to cancel the voicemail, which may generate instructions to avoicemail server to delete any voicemail data or voice recordingsalready acquired and terminate the connection with the user's device.The option to send the voicemail may also be presented to the user,which may generate instructions to a voicemail server to deliver thevoicemail or a notification of the voicemail to the intended recipient.The option to send the voicemail may be presented to a user at anypoint, and may result in a voicemail being sent with no multimediacontent or with any multimedia content that has already been associatedwith the voicemail.

In one embodiment, upon selecting an option to attach a file to avoicemail, a user may be presented with a screen for selecting a file,an example of which is shown in screen 211. A user may select any typeof file, including a music file, video file, image file, word processingdocument, executable file or application, etc. The files available forselection and attachment to a voicemail may be in any format. File typesand formats may be restricted by the voicemail server or system and/orthe provider that maintains the voicemail server or system. Suchrestrictions may be based upon file size, type, results of scanning(such as virus scanning) or any other criteria. Alternatively, thevoicemail server, system, or provider may place no restrictions on thesizes, types and/or formats of files that can be associated with avoicemail. The file selected may be located locally, for example on auser's mobile communications device, or remotely on another device orsystem.

Screen 211 may also provide other options, including the option toproceed with attaching the selected file and the option to cancel thefile selection and not attach any file. In some embodiments, multiplefiles may be selected at screen 211 and attached with one activation ofan attachment button (labeled “Attach selected file” in screen 211.)Alternatively, a user may be required to select one file at a time forassociation with a voicemail.

Upon selecting the desired file or files and activating an attachmentcontrol, the user may be presented with screen 212. Screen 212 maypresent to the user a visual listing or confirmation of files currentlyassociated with a voicemail. Screen 212 may also present a listing ofother media currently associated with a voicemail, such as webpages,texts, etc. Screen 212 may also provide the opportunity for the user toselect already attached files and remove them before the voicemail istransmitted to the recipient. Other options may be presented to theuser, such as the option to select/create further content to beassociated with the voicemail, the option to cancel the voicemail and/orthe option to send the voicemail as currently configured with the listedfiles, media, webpages, etc. attached. If the user elects to send thevoicemail as configured, a confirmation message such as that illustratedat screen 213 may be presented to the user. Screen 213 may include asummary of the action taken, and may also include the destinationaddress, phone number, recipient's name, and/or other information.Screen 213 may be presented to the user for a predetermined amount oftime and then removed, or screen 213 may remain displayed on a userdevice until acknowledged by the user. Any other variation of providingan acknowledgement to the user is contemplated.

In one embodiment, a webpage may be attached or associated with avoicemail. As shown in FIG. 3, screen 310 may be presented to a userpreparing a voicemail for transmission to a recipient. Among the optionsavailable are those listed in the description of screen 210 of FIG. 2,including the option to attach a webpage to a voicemail. Upon selectionof the “Attach webpage” option, a user may be presented with screen 311.Screen 311 may display a mobile browser window with options to attachthe contents or link of the currently displayed webpage to a voicemail.A user may manipulate a mobile browser to select a webpage by directnavigation (i.e. entering a webpage's address), selection from a list ofbookmarks, redirection via a selected link, or by any other means. Oncea webpage is selected or otherwise chosen, screen 311 may provide theoption to attach or associate the webpage with a voicemail. Alternativeoptions may be presented on screen 311, such as the option to cancel theattachment process, or the option to select multiple webpages forattachment.

Upon selection of one or more webpages, a user may be presented withscreen 312. Screen 312 may present to the user a visual listing orconfirmation of webpages and/or other files, media, etc. currentlyassociated with a voicemail. Screen 312 may also provide the opportunityfor the user to select already attached webpages, files, media, etc. andremove them before the voicemail is transmitted to the recipient. Otheroptions may be presented to the user, such as the option toselect/create further content to be associated with the voicemail, theoption to cancel the voicemail and/or the option to send the voicemailas currently configured with the listed webpages, media, files, etc.attached. If the user elects to send the voicemail as configured, aconfirmation message such as that illustrated at screen 313 may bepresented to the user. Screen 313 may include a summary of the actiontaken, and may also include the destination address, phone number,recipient's name, and/or other information. Screen 313 may be presentedto the user for a predetermined amount of time and then removed, orscreen 313 may remain displayed on a user device until acknowledged bythe user. Any other variation of providing an acknowledgement to theuser is contemplated.

In some embodiments, a user may have the option to dynamically createmultimedia content to be associated with a voicemail. As illustrated inFIG. 4, a user may be presented with the option to create media, such astext, to be associated with a voicemail. In alternative embodiments, auser may be presented with the options to create an image or a videoclip, for example by operating a device's camera, and/or create a soundfile, for example by operating a device's microphone and audio recordingcomponents. Other types of media may be created and associated with avoicemail, and all such embodiments are contemplated as within the scopeof the present disclosure. If a user selects an option to create mediacontent, the user may be presented with a screen such as screen 411,where a user may create the content. In one embodiment, screen 411allows a user to enter text that will be attached to a voicemail as atext file or text message. Alternatively, at screen 411 a user may bepermitted to create a sound, image, or video file or content that canthen be associated with a voicemail. Screen 411 may also provide theuser the option to cancel the multimedia attachment process and/or theoption to attach the created content to a voicemail.

Screen 412 may be presented to a user following the creation andattachment of multimedia content. Screen 412 may present to the user avisual listing or confirmation of created media, webpages, other files,etc. currently associated with a voicemail. Screen 412 may also providethe opportunity for the user to select already attached user-createdmedia, webpages, files, other media, etc. and remove them before thevoicemail is transmitted to the recipient. Other options may bepresented to the user, such as the option to select/create furthercontent to be associated with the voicemail, the option to cancel thevoicemail and/or the option to send the voicemail as currentlyconfigured with the listed user-created media, webpages, other media,files, etc. attached. If the user elects to send the voicemail asconfigured, a confirmation message such as that illustrated at screen413 may be presented to the user. Screen 413 may include a summary ofthe action taken, and may also include the destination address, phonenumber, recipient's name, and/or other information. Screen 413 may bepresented to the user for a predetermined amount of time and thenremoved, or screen 413 may remain displayed on a user device untilacknowledged by the user. Any other variation of providing anacknowledgement to the user is contemplated.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sequence of exemplary screens that may be presentedto a recipient of a voicemail with associated multimedia contentinteracting with a voicemail or MMS system or server. At screen 510, arecipient may be presented with a notification that a new voicemail isavailable, and, in one embodiment, an indication that the voicemail hasassociated multimedia content. Note that in other embodiments, arecipient may receive a notification of a voicemail and/or an indicationthat multimedia content is associated with a voicemail audibly or withalternative indicators, and all such embodiments are contemplated aswithin the scope of the present disclosure. A recipient may be presentedwith options to save the voicemail, delete the voicemail, view orexecute multimedia voicemail attachments, and/or exit or otherwiseacknowledge the notification without hearing the voicemail orviewing/executing attached content.

If a recipient elects to view content associated with a voicemail,screen 511 may be generated and presented to the user. Screen 511 mayinclude a listing of multimedia content associated with a voicemail andoptions to select and view, hear, and/or execute the associated content,save the associated content, delete the associated content, and/or exitscreen 511. Other options may be provided to a recipient at screen 511or in similar screens, and all such options are contemplated as withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

If a recipient chooses to view, hear, or execute associated content,screen 512 may be presented to the recipient. Note that the recipientmay view, hear, or execute associated content before, during, or afterlistening to the audible voice message portion of the voicemail. Screen512 may display visible multimedia content associated with a voicemailby displaying the text of the content, a webpage associated with thecontent (in one embodiment within a browser), displaying an image orvideo associated with the content, etc. Alternatively, or in addition todisplaying the content, screen 512 may reflect the playing of audioportions of associated content or the execution of an application orother executable file associated with the voicemail. On screen 512, arecipient may also be presented with options, such as the option toreturn to a listing of associated content such as that of screen 511, oran option to exit screen 512. Other options may be provided to arecipient at screen 512 or in similar screens, and all such options arecontemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method 600 of implementing aspects ofthe present disclosure. The method of FIG. 6 may be implemented by avoicemail system, an MMS system, a user device, a network device, and/orany other appropriately configured device and/or system, and anycombination thereof. At block 610, a voice message may be received. Sucha voice message may be received at a voicemail server or MMS server asdescribed herein, or on any other server, device, component, or systemconfigured to facilitate the association of multimedia content withvoicemail. The voice message may be the audible portion of a voicemailthat may be stored and/or processed as a recorded voice message. Atblock 620, a determination may be made as to whether multimedia contentis to be attached or otherwise associated with the voicemail. Thisdetermination may be made based on user input, for example userselection of an option to attach or associate multimedia content with avoicemail through the operation of an interface such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. Other means of determining whethermultimedia content is to be associated with a voicemail arecontemplated, including determining based on audible user input orautomated processes are contemplated. If it is determined at block 620that no multimedia content is to be associated with the voicemail, thenat block 650 a notification is sent to the recipient that a voicemail isavailable, and any other processing may be performed, such as storage ofthe voicemail and related data, associating time, date, recipient andsender data with the voicemail, etc.

If at block 620 it is determined that multimedia content is to beassociated with the voicemail, the content is obtained and associatedwith the voicemail at block 630. Obtaining the content may includeuploading content specified by a user from a user's device or aspecified device, storing an indication of a location of the content(such as a webpage address), or any other means of obtaining content ora pointer, address, or other indicator of such content. In someembodiments, an interface may be provided to obtain content such asthose illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. At block 630, the content mayalso be associated with the voicemail. This may be accomplished usingany of a variety of means. In one embodiment, content may be directlyattached to a voicemail such that the voicemail, associated voicemaildata, and associated multimedia content is bundled into a single dataunit that is stored and/or transmitted to a recipient. Alternatively, avoicemail may contain one or more references, pointers, addresses,and/or other means that indicate the location and/or othercharacteristics of multimedia content. Such references may be used by anappropriately configured device and/or software to locate and acquirethe associated multimedia content on the instruction of a voicemailsystem or a user of such a system. The references multimedia content maybe located on a component of a voicemail system, or on a component of aMMS system, or any other device or component where it can be retrievedand/or read when needed. In alternative embodiments, multimedia contentmay be associated with a voicemail using other means, and all such meansare contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.

In one embodiment, at block 630 a user may associate a tag or otheridentifier with a word, time of play, or other characteristic of theaudible voice portion of a voicemail or with any other characteristic ofthe voicemail, including characteristics of the multimedia contentassociated with the voicemail. The voicemail system may associate thetag or other identifier with the multimedia content and mayautomatically render such content when the voicemail is received by therecipient by detecting the tag or identifier and automatically executingor rendering the content associated with that tag or identifier. Forexample, when composing a voicemail and associating content, a user mayspecific that a certain music file is to be played when the user says“song”, or that a certain website is to be accessed when the voiceportion of the message reached one minute. When playing the audiblevoice portion of the voicemail, a voicemail or MMS system or a userdevice may automatically render the associated music file when the word“song” is detected or automatically execute a web browser and go to theassociated webpage. Other tags and identifiers may be used to triggerautomatic execution or rendering of associated multimedia content.

At block 640, a determination may be made as to whether additionalcontent is to be associated with the voicemail. A user may be presentedwith the option to associate additional content with a voicemail afterselecting content to be associated with the voicemail. This option maybe presented to a user through interfaces such as those shown in FIGS.2, 3, and 4, or through other means. If further content is to beassociated with the voicemail, method 600 returns to block 630. If not,at block 650 a notification is transmitted to the intended recipient ofthe voicemail, and any further processing maybe performed, such asstorage of the voicemail and related data, associating time, date,recipient and sender data with the voicemail, etc. A confirmation mayalso be presented to a user that a voicemail has successfully beengenerated. Such a confirmation may include recipient data, time and datedata, voicemail and associated content data, etc. One example of such aconfirmation is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, and otherconfirmations are contemplated.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary method 700 of implementing aspects ofthe present disclosure. The method of FIG. 7 may be implemented by avoicemail system, a MMS system, a user device, a network device, and/orany other appropriately configured device and/or system, and anycombination thereof. At block 710, a notification of an availablevoicemail may be received and presented to a user. The actions of block710 may include a presentation of the notification by the user device,or they include the transmission of instructions from a voicemail systemto a user device instructing the user device to present a notificationto the user. The notification may include a indication that multimediacontent is associated with the voicemail, a listing of the availablecontent, and/or an option for the user to select multimedia content toview, hear, execute, etc. In one embodiment, the notification may besimilar to the screens illustrated in FIG. 5.

At block 720, a determination may be made as to whether associatedcontent has been selected for viewing, hearing, executions, etc. Thisdetermination may be made based on user input received while a user isinteracting with interfaces such as those illustrated in FIG. 5. Notethat the recipient may select to view, hear, or execute associatedcontent before, during, or after listening to the audible voice messageportion of the voicemail. In one embodiment, the user who composed thevoicemail may have associated a tag or other identifier with a word,time of play, or other characteristic of the audible voice messageportion of a voicemail, and at block 720, when the tag, or otheridentifier is detected, the multimedia content may be automaticallyrendered on the user device. For example, when composing a voicemail andassociating content, a user may specific that a certain music file is tobe played when the user says “song”. When playing the audible voicemessage portion of the voicemail, a voicemail or MMS system or therecipient's device may automatically render the associated music filewhen the word “song” is detected. Other tags and identifiers may be usedto trigger automatic execution or rendering of associated multimediacontent.

If no content has been selected, or there has otherwise been noinstruction to view, hear, execute, etc. associated content, at block750 the voicemail may be processed as normal. Such processing mayinclude presenting and detecting selection of options to save, review,and/or delete the voicemail, download the content associated with thevoicemail without viewing/hearing/executing the content, etc.

If at block 720, multimedia content associated with the voicemail isselected for viewing, hearing, executing, etc., at block 730, thecontent is presented to the user. This may include the visualpresentation of the content on a display, playing the an audio and/orvideo portion of associated content, executing an application or othercontent associated with the voicemail, or any other activity thatrenders content such that is can be recognized and consumed by arecipient. The content may be rendered remotely and transmitted to therecipient's device, for example, audio or video may be rendered on avoicemail or MMS server or system and streamed to the recipient'sdevice. Alternatively, the content may be transmitted as a file orotherwise downloaded onto the recipient's device, and the recipient'sdevice may then render the content such that the content is perceptibleby the recipient. In such an embodiment, the content may be transmittedas a file or downloaded to the recipient's device when the recipientselects an option to view, hear, execute, etc. the content, or thecontent may be transmitted before, during, or after the notification ofan available voicemail is transmitted. Any means of rendering contentmay be used, and all such means are contemplated as within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Once content is presented to the user at block 730, a determination maybe made as to whether further content is to be presented to the user atblock 740. This determination may be made based on user input receivedwhile a user is interacting with interfaces such as those illustrated inFIG. 5. If further content is to be presented to the user, method 700returns to block 720. Otherwise, if no further content presentationrequest is detected, at block 750 the voicemail may be processedfurther. Such processing may include presenting and detecting selectionof options to save, review, and/or delete the voicemail, download thecontent associated with the voicemail without viewing/hearing/executingthe content, etc.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example wireless device 1010 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to otherfigures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example, wirelessdevices 111 and 121 may each be a wireless device of the type describedin regard to FIG. 8, and may have some, all, or none of the componentsand modules described in regard to FIG. 8. It will be appreciated thatthe components and modules of wireless device 1010 illustrated in FIG. 8are illustrative, and that any number and type of components and/ormodules may be present in wireless device 1010. In addition, thefunctions performed by any or all of the components and modulesillustrated in FIG. 8 may be performed by any number of physicalcomponents. Thus, it is possible that in some embodiments thefunctionality of more than one component and/or module illustrated inFIG. 8 may be performed by any number or types of hardware and/orsoftware.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1010. In one embodiment, processor 1021executes software (i.e., computer readable instructions stored in acomputer readable medium) that may include functionality related tointegrating multimedia content with voicemail, for example. Userinterface module 1022 may be any type or combination of hardware and/orsoftware that enables a user to operate and interact with wirelessdevice 1010, and, in one embodiment, to interact with a system orsoftware enabling the user to place, request, and/or receive calls andvoicemail, and/or a system or software enabling the user to view,modify, or delete related software objects. For example, user interfacemodule 1022 may include a display, physical and/or “soft” keys, voicerecognition software, microphone, speaker and the like. Wirelesscommunication module 1023 may be any type of transceiver or anycombination of hardware and/or software that enables wireless device1010 to communicate with wireless network equipment, for example,network 101, or any other type of wireless communications network ornetwork equipment. Memory 1024 enables wireless device 1010 to storeinformation, such as voicemail notifications, multimedia content,software to interact with voicemail systems, and voicemail preferences.Memory 1024 may take any form, such as internal random access memory(RAM), an SD card, a microSD card and the like. Power supply 1025 may bea battery or other type of power input (e.g., a charging cable that isconnected to an electrical outlet, etc.) that is capable of poweringwireless device 1010. SIM 1026 may be any type Subscriber IdentityModule and may be configured on a removable or non-removable SIM cardthat allows wireless device 1010 to store data on SIM 1026.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the embodiments described herein, including as one ormore components of wireless devices 111 and 121, as one or morecomponents of network equipment or related equipment, such as anycomponent shown in FIG. 1, and/or as one or more components of any thirdparty system or subsystem that may implement any portion of the subjectmatter described herein. It is emphasized that the block diagramdepicted in FIG. 9 is exemplary and not intended to imply a specificimplementation. Thus, the processor 1158 can be implemented in a singleprocessor or multiple processors. Multiple processors can be distributedor centrally located. Multiple processors can communicate wirelessly,via hard wire, or a combination thereof.

As depicted in FIG. 9, the processor 1158 comprises a processing portion1160, a memory portion 1162, and an input/output portion 1164. Theprocessing portion 560, memory portion 562, and input/output portion1164 are coupled together (coupling not shown in FIG. 9) to allowcommunications between these portions. The input/output portion 1164 iscapable of providing and/or receiving components, commands, and/orinstructions, utilized to, for example, integrate multimedia contentwith voicemail, transmit and receive voicemail notifications, transmit,receive, store and process multimedia content, execute software tointeract with voicemail systems, receive and store voicemailpreferences, and/or perform any other function described herein.

The processor 1158 can be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with transmitting, receiving, and/or processing voicemail,calls, other telephonic communications, etc. For example, the memoryportion is capable of storing voicemail preferences and/or softwarecapable of processing call requests, receiving calls, voicemail,multimedia content, etc. Depending upon the exact configuration and typeof processor, the memory portion 1162 can be volatile (such as RAM)1166, non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or acombination thereof. The processor 1158 can have additionalfeatures/functionality. For example, the processor 1158 can includeadditional storage (removable storage 1170 and/or non-removable storage1172) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks, tape,flash, smart cards or a combination thereof. Computer storage media,such as memory and storage elements 1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168,include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable mediaimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM,ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,universal serial bus (USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by the processor 1158. Any such computer storage media maybe part of the processor 1158.

The processor 1158 can also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through network equipment as illustrated in FIG. 1.Communications connection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media.Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection as might be used with a landline telephone, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared,cellular, and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media. Theprocessor 1158 also can have input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard,keypad, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Outputdevice(s) 1174 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. also can beincluded.

The network illustrated in FIG. 1 may comprise any appropriate telephonyradio network, or any other type of communications network, wireline orwireless, or any combination thereof. The following description setsforth some exemplary telephony radio networks, such as the global systemfor mobile communications (GSM), and non-limiting operatingenvironments. The below-described operating environments should beconsidered non-exhaustive, however, and thus the below-described networkarchitectures merely show how integration of multimedia content withvoicemail may be implemented with stationary and non-stationary networkstructures and architectures in order to provide integration ofmultimedia content with voicemail. It can be appreciated, however, thatmethods and systems for providing integration of multimedia content withvoicemail such as those described herein can be incorporated withexisting and/or future alternative architectures for communicationnetworks as well.

The GSM is one of the most widely utilized wireless access systems intoday's fast growing communication environment. The GSM providescircuit-switched data services to subscribers, such as mobile telephoneor computer users. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which is anextension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSMnetworks. The GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication technologyto transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an efficientmanner. The GPRS attempts to optimize the use of network and radioresources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of GSMnetwork resources for packet mode applications.

The exemplary GSM/GPRS environment and services described herein alsocan be extended to 3G services, such as Universal Mobile TelephoneSystem (UMTS), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time DivisionDuplexing (TDD), High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPDA), cdma2000 1xEvolution Data Optimized (EVDO), Code Division Multiple Access-2000(cdma2000 3x), Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access(TD-SCDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), EnhancedData GSM Environment (EDGE), International MobileTelecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), Digital Enhanced CordlessTelecommunications (DECT), 4G Services such as Long Term Evolution(LTE), etc., as well as to other network services that become availablein time. In this regard, the systems and methods for integratingmultimedia content with voicemail can be applied independently of themethod of data transport, and do not depend on any particular networkarchitecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 10 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichthe systems and methods for integrating multimedia content withvoicemail such as those described herein can be practiced. In an exampleconfiguration, network 101 as illustrated in FIG. 1 may be encompassedby or interact with the network environment depicted in FIG. 10.Similarly, wireless devices 111 and 121 may communicate or interact witha network environment such as that depicted in FIG. 10. In such anenvironment, there may be a plurality of Base Station Subsystems (BSS)900 (only one is shown), each of which comprises a Base StationController (BSC) 902 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations(BTS) such as BTSs 904, 906, and 908. BTSs 904, 906, 908, etc. are theaccess points where users of packet-based mobile devices (e.g., wirelessdevices 111 and 121) become connected to the wireless network. Inexemplary fashion, the packet traffic originating from user devices(e.g., wireless devices 111 and 121) may be transported via anover-the-air interface to a BTS 908, and from the BTS 908 to the BSC902. Base station subsystems, such as BSS 900, may be a part of internalframe relay network 910 that can include Service GPRS Support Nodes(SGSN) such as SGSN 912 and 914. Each SGSN may be connected to aninternal packet network 920 through which a SGSN 912, 914, etc. mayroute data packets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRS support nodes(GGSN) 922, 924, 926, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 914 and GGSNs 922, 924,and 926 may be part of internal packet network 920. Gateway GPRS servingnodes 922, 924 and 926 may provide an interface to external InternetProtocol (IP) networks, such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 950,corporate intranets 940, or Fixed-End System (FES) or the publicInternet 930. As illustrated, subscriber corporate network 940 may beconnected to GGSN 924 via firewall 932, and PLMN 950 may be connected toGGSN 924 via border gateway router 934. The Remote AuthenticationDial-In User Service (RADIUS) server 942 may be used for callerauthentication when a user of a mobile cellular device calls corporatenetwork 940.

Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSM network,referred to as macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage areaof each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells may beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells may betypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells may be used mainly indoors.On the other hand, umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regionsof smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 11 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network segmentedinto four groups: users 1050, radio access network 1060, core network1070, and interconnect network 1080. Users 1050 may comprise a pluralityof end users (though only mobile subscriber 1055 is shown in FIG. 11).In an example embodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 1055may comprise wireless devices 111 and 121. Radio access network 1060comprises a plurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 1062,which include BTSs 1064 and BSCs 1066. Core network 1070 comprises ahost of various network elements. As illustrated here, core network 1070may comprise Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 1071, Service Control Point(SCP) 1072, gateway MSC 1073, SGSN 1076, Home Location Register (HLR)1074, Authentication Center (AuC) 1075, Domain Name Server (DNS) 1077,and GGSN 1078. Interconnect network 1080 may also comprise a host ofvarious networks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 11,interconnect network 1080 comprises Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 1082, Fixed-End System (FES) or Internet 1084, firewall 1088, andCorporate Network 1089.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 1071, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082 through Gateway MSC (GMSC)1073, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 1076, which then sends the datatraffic to GGSN 1078 for further forwarding.

When MSC 1071 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 1066, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 1072. The SCP 1072 may processthe request and may issue a response to MSC 1071 so that it may continuecall processing as appropriate.

The HLR 1074 may be a centralized database for users to register to theGPRS network. HLR 1074 may store static information about thesubscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),subscribed services, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR1074 may also store dynamic subscriber information such as the currentlocation of the mobile subscriber. HLR 1074 may also serve to interceptand determine the validity of destination numbers in messages sent froma device, such as mobile subscriber 1055, as described herein.Associated with HLR 1074 may be AuC 1075. AuC 1075 may be a databasethat contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers and mayinclude the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as wireless devices 111 or 121, used by an end user of amobile cellular service or a wireless provider. When a mobile subscriberturns on his or her mobile device, the mobile device may go through anattach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of theGPRS network. In FIG. 11, when mobile subscriber 1055 initiates theattach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request may be sent by mobile subscriber 1055 to SGSN1076. The SGSN 1076 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber1055 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 1055.Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber 1055 from the otherSGSN, SGSN 1076 may request more information from mobile subscriber1055. This information may be used to authenticate mobile subscriber1055 to SGSN 1076 by HLR 1074. Once verified, SGSN 1076 sends a locationupdate to HLR 1074 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, inthis case SGSN 1076. HLR 1074 may notify the old SGSN, to which mobilesubscriber 1055 was attached before, to cancel the location process formobile subscriber 1055. HLR 1074 may then notify SGSN 1076 that thelocation update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 1076 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 1076.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 1055 may thengo through the authentication process. In the authentication process,SGSN 1076 may send the authentication information to HLR 1074, which maysend information back to SGSN 1076 based on the user profile that waspart of the user's initial setup. The SGSN 1076 may then send a requestfor authentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 1055. The mobilesubscriber 1055 may use an algorithm to send the user identification(ID) and password to SGSN 1076. The SGSN 1076 may use the same algorithmand compares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 1076 authenticatesmobile subscriber 1055.

Next, the mobile subscriber 1055 may establish a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 1089, by going through a PacketData Protocol (PDP) activation process. Briefly, in the process, mobilesubscriber 1055 may request access to the Access Point Name (APN), forexample, UPS.com, and SGSN 1076 may receive the activation request frommobile subscriber 1055. SGSN 1076 may then initiate a Domain NameService (DNS) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.comAPN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server within the core network1070, such as DNS 1077, which may be provisioned to map to one or moreGGSN nodes in the core network 1070. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN1078 can access the requested corporate network 1089. The SGSN 1076 maythen send to GGSN 1078 a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) ContextRequest message that contains necessary information. The GGSN 1078 maysend a Create PDP Context Response message to SGSN 1076, which may thensend an Activate PDP Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 1055may then go through radio access network 1060, core network 1070, andinterconnect network 1080, in a particular fixed-end system, or Internet1084 and firewall 1088, to reach corporate network 1089.

Thus, network elements that can invoke the functionality of integratingmultimedia content with voicemail such as those described herein caninclude but are not limited to Gateway GPRS Support Node tables, FixedEnd System router tables, firewall systems, VPN tunnels, and any numberof other network elements as required by the particular digital network.

FIG. 12 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of aGSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture 1100 in which the systemsand methods for providing integrating multimedia content with voicemailsuch as those described herein can be incorporated. As illustrated,architecture 1100 of FIG. 12 includes a GSM core network 1101, a GPRSnetwork 1130 and an IP multimedia network 1138. The GSM core network1101 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 1102, at least one Base TransceiverStation (BTS) 1104 and a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1106. The MS 1102is physical equipment or Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobiletelephone or a laptop computer (e.g., wireless devices 111 and 121) thatis used by mobile subscribers, in one embodiment with a Subscriberidentity Module (SIM). The SIM includes an International MobileSubscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a unique identifier of asubscriber. The BTS 1104 may be physical equipment, such as a radiotower, that enables a radio interface to communicate with the MS. EachBTS may serve more than one MS. The BSC 1106 may manage radio resources,including the BTS. The BSC may be connected to several BTSs. The BSC andBTS components, in combination, are generally referred to as a basestation (BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1103.

The GSM core network 1101 may also include a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 1108, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1110, a HomeLocation Register (HLR) 1112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1114, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1118, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1116. The MSC 1108 may perform a switching function for thenetwork. The MSC may also perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1110 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1120. Thus, the GMSC 1110 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1112 is a database that may contain administrative informationregarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network. TheHLR 1112 may also contain the current location of each MS. The VLR 1114may be a database that contains selected administrative information fromthe HLR 1112. The VLR may contain information necessary for call controland provision of subscribed services for each MS currently located in ageographical area controlled by the VLR. The HLR 1112 and the VLR 1114,together with the MSC 1108, may provide the call routing and roamingcapabilities of GSM. The AuC 1116 may provide the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1118 may storesecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1109 allows one-to-one shortmessage service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), messages tobe sent to/from the MS 1102. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1111 is used to“push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to the MS1102. The PPG 1111 acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to the MS 1102. A Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 1113 may be provided to convert SMS-basedSMPP messages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulkmessages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as voice, data, short messageservice (SMS), and multimedia message service (MMS), the MS may firstregister with the network to indicate its current location by performinga location update and IMSI attach procedure. MS 1102 may send a locationupdate including its current location information to the MSC/VLR, viaBTS 1104 and BSC 1106. The location information may then be sent to theMS's HLR. The HLR may be updated with the location information receivedfrom the MSC/VLR. The location update may also be performed when the MSmoves to a new location area. Typically, the location update may beperiodically performed to update the database as location updatingevents occur.

GPRS network 1130 may be logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1132, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1134. The SGSN 1132 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 1108 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 1102. TheSGSN may also keep track of individual MS's locations and securityfunctions and access controls.

Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1133 may communicate cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile telephone customers whoare located within a given part of its network coverage area at the timethe message is broadcast.

GGSN 1134 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1136. That is, the GGSN mayprovide interworking functionality with external networks, and set up alogical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it may be transferred to an external TCP-IPnetwork 1136, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order toaccess GPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS networkby performing an attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet dataprotocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communication sessionbetween the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

GPRS network 1130 may be designed to operate in three network operationmodes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of a GPRS networkmay be indicated by a parameter in system information messagestransmitted within a cell. The system information messages may direct aMS where to listen for paging messages and how to signal towards thenetwork. The network operation mode represents the capabilities of theGPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS can receive pages from a circuitswitched domain (voice call) when engaged in a data call. The MS cansuspend the data call or take both simultaneously, depending on theability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may not receive pages from acircuit switched domain when engaged in a data call, since the MS isreceiving data and is not listening to a paging channel. In a NOM3network, a MS can monitor pages for a circuit switched network whilereceiving data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1138 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andmay include IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1140 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within IMS 1140 are a call/session control function (CSCF), amedia gateway control function (MGCF) 1146, a media gateway (MGW) 1148,and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server (HSS)1150. HSS 1150 may be common to GSM core network 1101, GPRS network 1130as well as IP multimedia network 1138.

IP multimedia system 1140 may be built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1143, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1142, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1144. TheP-CSCF 1142 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1140. TheP-CSCF 1142 may forward session initiation protocol (SIP) messagesreceived from the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa)of the MS. The P-CSCF 1142 may also modify an outgoing request accordingto a set of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

I-CSCF 1143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. I-CSCF 1143 may contact subscriberlocation function (SLF) 1145 to determine which HSS 1150 to use for theparticular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 1150 are present. S-CSCF 1144may perform the session control services for MS 1102. This includesrouting originating sessions to external networks and routingterminating sessions to visited networks. S-CSCF 1144 may also decidewhether an application server (AS) 1152 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromHSS 1150 (or other sources, such as application server 1152). AS 1152may also communicate to location server 1156 (e.g., a Gateway MobileLocation Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of MS 1102.

HSS 1150 may contain a subscriber profile and keep track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It may also supportsubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1150, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1150 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

MGCF 1146 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1140 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown.) It may also control themedia gateway (MGW) 1148 that provides user-plane interworkingfunctionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice.) MGW1148 may also communicate with other IP multimedia networks 1154.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile telephones may registerwith the wireless network when the telephones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.) When the mobile telephones leave the area, theymay register with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, does not indicate theactual physical location of the mobile telephones outside thepre-defined area.

While example embodiments of systems and methods for integratingmultimedia content with voicemail have been described in connection withvarious communications devices and computing devices/processors, theunderlying concepts can be applied to any communications or computingdevice, processor, or system capable of implementing the multimediavoicemail systems and methods described. The various techniquesdescribed herein can be implemented in connection with hardware orsoftware or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, themethods and apparatuses for integrating multimedia content withvoicemail, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form ofprogram code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such asfloppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readablestorage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into andexecuted by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes anapparatus for integrating multimedia content with voicemail. In the caseof program code execution on programmable computers, the computingdevice will generally include a processor, a storage medium readable bythe processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storageelements), at least one input device, and at least one output device.The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language, andcombined with hardware implementations.

The methods and systems for integrating multimedia content withvoicemail as described herein can also be practiced via communicationsembodied in the form of program code that is transmitted over sometransmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, throughfiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when theprogram code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, suchas an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a clientcomputer, or the like, the machine becomes an apparatus for integratingmultimedia content with voicemail. When implemented on a general-purposeprocessor, the program code combines with the processor to provide aunique apparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of amultimedia voicemail system. Additionally, any storage techniques usedin connection with a voicemail system can invariably be a combination ofhardware and software.

While the integration of multimedia content with voicemail has beendescribed in connection with the various embodiments of the variousfigures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can beused or modifications and additions can be made to the describedembodiment for performing the same function of integrating multimediacontent with voicemail without deviating therefrom. For example, oneskilled in the art will recognize that integrating multimedia contentwith voicemail as described in the present application may apply to anyenvironment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any numberof such devices connected via a communications network and interactingacross the network. Therefore, integrating multimedia content withvoicemail should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rathershould be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wireless network device comprising: a memorycomprising instructions; and a processor coupled to the memory that,when executing the instructions, causes performance of operationscomprising: a transceiver receiving a request from a first device tocreate a voicemail message; the transceiver receiving audible content ofthe voicemail message from the first device; the transceivertransmitting to the first device an audible prompt for additionalcontent for the voicemail message; the transceiver receiving from thefirst device an audible request to include content of a webpage with thevoicemail message, wherein the audible request comprises a spokenaddress of the webpage; the transceiver receiving the content of thewebpage; the processor associating the content of the webpage with thevoicemail message; and the transceiver transmitting a notification ofthe voicemail message to a recipient device.
 2. The wireless networkdevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise the processorassociating a transcription of the spoken address of the webpage withthe voicemail message.
 3. The wireless network device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise the transceiver transmitting aninstruction to the first device that causes the first device to presenta user interface for user selection of multimedia content.
 4. Thewireless network device of claim 1, wherein the operation of theprocessor associating the content of the webpage with the voicemailmessage comprises the processor storing the content of the webpage in amemory as a multimedia portion of the voicemail message.
 5. The wirelessnetwork device of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise: thetransceiver receiving an indication of a selection of multimedia contentat the user interface; and the processor associating the multimediacontent with the voicemail message.
 6. The wireless network device ofclaim 1, wherein the operation of the processor associating the contentof the webpage with the voicemail message comprises the processorassociating a network address of the webpage with the voicemail message.7. The wireless network device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: the transceiver receiving a second audible request toinclude text with the voicemail message, wherein the second audiblerequest comprises spoken content; the processor transcribing the spokencontent; and the processor associating the spoken content with thevoicemail message.
 8. The wireless network device of claim 1, whereinthe operations further comprise the transceiver receiving from the firstdevice a tag associated with a portion of the audible content of thevoicemail message, and the processor associating the tag with thecontent of the webpage.
 9. The wireless network device of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise the transceiver transmitting aninstruction to the recipient device to present the content of thewebpage upon detection of the tag during presentation of the voicemailmessage.
 10. The wireless network device of claim 9, wherein thepresentation of the voicemail message comprises rendering the audiblecontent of the voicemail message.
 11. A method, comprising: detecting,by a voicemail server in a wireless network, a request from a firstdevice to create a voicemail message; receiving, by the voicemailserver, audible content of the voicemail message from the first device;transmitting, from the voicemail server to the first device, an audibleprompt for additional content for the voicemail message; receiving, bythe voicemail server from the first device, an audible request toinclude content of a webpage with the voicemail message, wherein theaudible request comprises a spoken address of the webpage; obtaining, bythe voicemail server, the content of the webpage; associating, by thevoicemail server, the content of the webpage with the voicemail message;and transmitting a notification of the voicemail message from thevoicemail server to a recipient device.
 12. The method of claim 11,further comprising associating a transcription of the spoken address ofthe webpage with the voicemail message.
 13. The method of claim 11,further comprising receiving from the first device a tag associated witha portion of the audible content of the voicemail message, andassociating the tag with the content of the webpage.
 14. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: receiving a second audible request toinclude text with the voicemail message, wherein the second audiblerequest comprises spoken content; transcribing the spoken content; andassociating the spoken content with the voicemail message.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, wherein associating the content of the webpage withthe voicemail message comprises associating a network address of thewebpage with the voicemail message.
 16. A computer-readable medium thatis not a transient signal, the computer-readable medium comprisingexecutable instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to effectuate operations comprising: detecting a request froma first device to create a voicemail message; receiving audible contentof the voicemail message from the first device; transmitting to thefirst device an audible prompt for additional content for the voicemailmessage; receiving from the first device, an audible request to includecontent of a webpage with the voicemail message, wherein the audiblerequest comprises a spoken address of the webpage; obtaining the contentof the webpage; associating the content of the webpage with thevoicemail message; and transmitting a notification of the voicemailmessage to a recipient device.
 17. The computer-readable medium of claim16, wherein the operations further comprise associating a transcriptionof the spoken address of the webpage with the voicemail message.
 18. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operations furthercomprise receiving from the first device a tag associated with a portionof the audible content of the voicemail message, and associating the tagwith the content of the webpage.
 19. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 16, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving a secondaudible request to include text with the voicemail message, wherein thesecond audible request comprises spoken content; transcribing the spokencontent; and associating the spoken content with the voicemail message.20. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the operation ofassociating the content of the webpage with the voicemail messagecomprises associating a network address of the webpage with thevoicemail message.